BEST 5er Hitch Opinions?

BandJCarm · 08-17-2015, 11:56 AM

We are beginning discussions of trading in our 2014 bumper pull Grey Wolf 26DBH for a Silverback 5er, probably the 31IK.

I want this deal to be our last. I want to NOT make any mistakes. Wife wants this and that and the other options in the TT..........but I want to ensure I can pull this thing across America, back it, and be happy. TV is a 2015 Chevy 2500 Duramax with 6.5' bed. (I also have the Bak Flip F1 cover, and am hoping it will fold out of the way ok).

Trailer Saver, Pullright, ISR Superglide......these are the top of the line it appears when I Google. But heck, I've never even touched a fifth wheel hookup, and know nothing really. I want the smoothest ride, easiest pull and backup, and ability to close that cover when not in use.

I would appreciate all comments. We are in Arkansas, but possibly going to Couch in Hamilton OH first of September to view their stuff (any comment on that dealer is welcome also!!!).........on our way to STL to see a few Cardinal games.

Thoughts?????

BandJCarm · 08-17-2015, 12:51 PM

OK, my terminology shows my ignorance.

Rephrase this..........if you could have the best, what is the absolute best and easiest functionality of the COMBINATION of hitch pin and hitch. Not what you have necessarily, but what would be your dream combo if you could buy one now.

Scotty · 08-17-2015, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

OK, my terminology shows my ignorance.

Rephrase this..........if you could have the best, what is the absolute best and easiest functionality of the COMBINATION of hitch pin and hitch. Not what you have necessarily, but what would be your dream combo if you could buy one now.

Andersen......

muddyrode · 08-17-2015, 08:58 PM

I would look at going with a sidewinder i have a older 3300 pullrite and have hit my sides with the hitch in turns on unlevel ground if i went with the hitch lift kit my trailer would not sit level and i,m not alone on this i have a friend with anewer 2015 2500 who has the hitch lift as he is afraid of hitting and his trailer sits high in the front and was talking to a guy at goshen that has the sam problem and he did buy and try the lift on his hitch but the same traler sat high in front he said he waisted 150 on the lift and his truck was tore up worst than mine looking at converting to a sidewinder jmo

jtownstumpjumper · 08-17-2015, 09:29 PM

We have the 2014 Silverback 33RL which, I believe, was replaced with the 31IK...I have a 2012 GMC 2500HD Duramax with 6.5 ft bed.....have a tri-fold Undercover Flex hard bed cover.....now to our problems...Our Silverback came with a factory pin box....dealer put on a Reese ProSeries 16K hitch...I had to fold up two sections of my bed cover...everything worked in combination fine but with bumping and chucking like 5th wheels will do....I had the pin box changed to a TrailAir pin box.....with my bed cover folded up two sections, the TrailAir would hit the cover....so, I now fold up 2 sections, I moved the prop rod supports so the 3rd section rides sloped above the TrailAir and clears during travel.....problem I still had was turning in tight campgrounds and gas stations.....front cap of Silverback was hitting the corner of the bed cover....so, I went back to the hitch man and traded out for a Reece Pro Series 16K Slider hitch....I can slide the hitch and it moves 10 inches backward to allow more clearance....none of this is ideal with me but I'm living with it.....don't know if I've confused you enough or not.....Like you, I did not want to give up my bed cover....Is your bed cover a 3-fold or 4-fold cover???...BTW, we live in Jonesboro AR...we will be coming through Conway next Monday on our way to Petit Jean State Park.

BandJCarm · 08-17-2015, 09:34 PM

Not sure what 'chucking' is. I understood about 20% of that.

I sort of feel pretty stupid. The salesman I'm talking to, when I ask about this one or that one, says "Yeah, we sell some of those". Not very helpful.

You say 'trifold'. I have four sections on the Bak Flip. Wonder if that matters?

Would the Trailer Saver (Hensley type) not solve this problem also? Or Demco Hijacker?

Man, this is getting tough to figure out.

Cypressloser · 08-17-2015, 09:41 PM

I had many different hitches over the years, I can't even remember their names. They were all either expensive, heavy, chucking/jerking or all of the above. I have the Andersen for over 2 years now and my only regret is, why not sooner.

dalford · 08-17-2015, 09:48 PM

So basically the Anderson is a Gooseneck...

jtownstumpjumper · 08-17-2015, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Not sure what 'chucking' is. I understood about 20% of that.

I sort of feel pretty stupid. The salesman I'm talking to, when I ask about this one or that one, says "Yeah, we sell some of those". Not very helpful.

You say 'trifold'. I have four sections on the Bak Flip. Wonder if that matters?

Would the Trailer Saver (Hensley type) not solve this problem also? Or Demco Hijacker?

Man, this is getting tough to figure out.

I think a 4-fold bed cover will make things better for you....we both have 6.5 foot beds......with me having only a 3-fold cover, I still had too much cover lying flat and the pin box/hitch was hitting....I would think you could fold up 3 sections on top of your 4th section and it would all be out of the way....I also am very new to the 5th wheel, having also come from a bumper pull and am not very familiar with many of the hitches you've mentioned.

Cypressloser · 08-17-2015, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalford

So basically the Anderson is a Gooseneck...

Yes it is, only it doesn't change the geometry of the pinbox and therefor not void the trailer warranty. On and off in about a minute, it weighs 70 lbs, good for 4500 lbs pinweight and 24000 lbs trailer.
I am not in any way affiliated with the manufacturer, just a happy customer

dalford · 08-17-2015, 10:00 PM

What do you mean "Does not change geometry of pinbox..."

BandJCarm · 08-17-2015, 10:02 PM

5 1/4" is what the clearance is on this. The Autoslide ones go from 10" to 22".

I'd think the Anderson would be ok for a long bed truck.

Either way, it seems a Trailair Pin Box would help considerably.

All that without ever touching one!! ha.

Cypressloser · 08-17-2015, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalford

What do you mean "Does not change geometry of pinbox..."

There are pinbox extenders on the market that turn the 5th wheel pinbox into a regular gooseneck for mounting on the ball on the bottom of the truck bed (like a stock trailer), this setup changes the geometry of the pinbox and voids the trailer warranty.

dalford · 08-17-2015, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

There are pinbox extenders on the market that turn the 5th wheel pinbox into a regular gooseneck for mounting on the ball on the bottom of the truck bed (like a stock trailer), this setup changes the geometry of the pinbox and voids the trailer warranty.

??? I thought it did not void the warranty... I'm so confused

hbillsmith · 08-17-2015, 10:30 PM

I have the same truck and bed. The Andersen Ultimate Aluminum is thecway to go. I have it and have towed my 11000# fiver across the plains and mountains for about 12,000 miles. No problems and easy tow. Get it and never look back.

Cypressloser · 08-17-2015, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalford

??? I thought it did not void the warranty... I'm so confused

This would very likely void the warranty.

mustardbucket107 · 08-17-2015, 10:37 PM

Different strokes for different folks, but i love my b&w companion for the simple fact they build the highest quality products you can buy. I also pull my 5r rv, 40' gooseneck flatbed, and i can still have a perfectly flat level bed if i need-no ISR rails for this guy, best of luck with whatever you decide

Sent from my SM-N910V

spock123 · 08-18-2015, 05:20 AM

X2 on the B&W Companion

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

BandJCarm · 08-18-2015, 05:54 AM

B&W Companion slider for my 6.5' bed, and a TrailAir Tri Glide Air ride pin box seems to be the ultimate/ultimate..............

I think!

pontiacdan45 · 08-18-2015, 11:53 AM

We have a 2015 32 foot Rockwood fifth wheel with a Reese revolution hitch and pin box and tow it with a GMC 2500HD with the short box.

This hitch setup uses a wedge to eliminate the trailer from rotating from the hitch and shifts the rotation point to where the pin box attaches to the trailer. You can do tight turns without worry.

The downside is that hitching and unhitching can be difficult at first until you understand the process. Once you get the hang of it, easy as pie.

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